It only costs a shilling at that wholesale chemist's.
I do look such a faded old creature beside you, Hope; and, after all, I
am only two years older!"

Hope laughed--a delightfully scornful, reassuring laugh.

"Faded old creature, indeed! when we were only remarking this week that
you were looking handsomer than ever. And happier, too. That's because
Barney will be home so soon; isn't it, dear?"

"Of course. What else should it be?" said Philippa; and, to do her
justice, she spoke in all sincerity.

Theo's suggestion that she should consult the Hermit as to Barney's
future had been accepted with an unmoved face, and put into immediate
execution; and as a result of the conference a letter was even now on
its way to Mr Neil's younger brother in Canada, asking if it would be
possible to receive the boy as a pupil on his large farm and ranch, and
train him for future work on his own account. Philippa shed bitter
tears at the thought of parting from her boy, but the Hermit insisted
that it was the right thing to do, though he was much perturbed at the
sight of her distress.

"I seem fated to make you cry," he said miserably. "Do you remember
that first time! I shall never forget your face, all streaming with
tears, and with such a miserable, helpless expression!"

"I must have looked very--ugly," said Philippa, with a sob. She
reflected that by the same course of reasoning she must look ugly now,
and dried her eyes with remarkable promptness, while the Hermit sat in
admiration of her fortitude.

If Barney was to be at home for a short time only, his sisters were
determined to make that time as happy as possible, so that his
recollections should carry with them no sting of reproach. In conclave
together they agreed that the dear boy would be embarrassed and
depressed, and that all means must be taken to convince him of their
full and free forgiveness, and to put him at his ease once more.

"I shall go to meet him," Philippa said. "It will be less trying for
him than having to see us all at once. And I am going to put up new
curtains in his room--he hated those old moreen atrocities--and make it
look bright and cheerful, as if it had been kept ready for him all the
time. I'm going to be so busy this week, I don't know how I shall get
through all I want to do in the way of preparation."

Alas for Philippa! her work during the next few days was to lie in bed
and burn and shiver with an attack of the prevale